Overview of H. pylori infection

Sugano, 2015 Malfertheiner, 2017

Helicobacter pylori infection is present in about 30% of adult Australians. The prevalence of infection is higher in people who are older, migrants, of lower socioeconomic status or institutionalised. The likelihood of infection is related most strongly to living conditions in childhood (when acquisition usually occurs). Infection is more frequent in family members of an infected person, and in people with a family history of peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancerMitchell, 2016.

H. pylori infection causes active chronic gastritis, though most people are asymptomatic (see H. pylori gastritis and symptoms). It confers a lifetime risk of H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease of 15 to 20%, and gastric cancer of up to 2%. The decision to test for and treat H. pylori should be individualised; Indications for Helicobacter pylori testing and eradication therapy lists people in whom testing should be considered, and the benefits of eradication.